Page 35 of Johnathan

“I stayed at the hospital all night, waiting for an update. Your mom and Sam came running in and a nurse took them right back to you, but they didn’t leave your side. I didn’t know what happened.”

“You were working. Didn’t you have to go back to the station at least?”

“I called Hank. Explained that I needed to stay. You needed to give a statement and I wanted to make sure I was there in case you were afraid.”

“I don’t… I honestly don’t know what to say, other than thank you.”

“I just don’t ever want you to feel like you have to work through what happened that night on your own. I’m here. I’m here, and I want to walk through it with you.”

Eleven

“It’s getting late. I should let you and Katy get home.”

John sighed as he watched her zip her jacket up so that it was covering her neck again. “Actually, we’re headed to Sal’s if you want to join.”

Her eyes shot up as she pulled her bag up over her shoulder. “Oh no. I don’t want to interrupt family time.”

“You’re not interrupting. I want you to come. Katy would be thrilled, too.”

“I don’t know.”

“We just worked out really hard. I’d like to not have to worry about you eating a good meal after.”

“Why would you worry about that? I’m a grown woman, I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can. I just… I like to take care of my friends.”

“So, I’d be doing you a favor by tagging along?” He heard the teasing in her voice, but if that was what needed to be said to get her there, he’d go along with it.

“Yup. I’d owe you one. Big time.”

“I think that’s the funniest thing you’ve ever said. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in your debt for the rest of my life.”

John hated how sincere she sounded.

“Stop it. You don’t owe me anything for that night. Let’s just go celebrate making it through your first lesson and forget everything else.”

“What should I get, Katy?” Abby asked as they made their way through Sal’s.

“Meatloaf!” Katy shouted. “Meatloaf, meatloaf, meatloaf!”

“Ladybug, inside voice.” John smiled as he held his hand out and helped Katy sit down in a chair. “Remember, we sit on our bottoms when we’re eating our meals.”

“Sorry, Dad.”

“Meatloaf is Katy’s favorite. I’m a burger and fries kind of guy.”

Abby’s mouth watered. “I think I’m a burger and fries kind of girl. That sounds amazing.”

“A woman after my own heart. I was scared you were going to order a salad and I was going to have to charm you into eating half my meal.”

“You seem to forget that I was raised on a ranch, Deputy Handsome. If I’m not having a burger, it’s because I’m having a steak.”

“Daddy, I color now?” Katy asked.

“I think you have your notebook in your bag, right? Here, let me see.” John shuffled through the bag and produced a spiral notebook and some crayons. “Here you go, ladybug. Have at it.”

A waiter came and took their orders while Katy sat next to John, coloring away happily.

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